‘My message twisted’ - Obi denies telling UK-based Nigerians to abandon loved ones
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has denied allegations that he urged Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to sever financial ties with their families. He suggested that his remarks about economic hardship in Nigeria had been misinterpreted by political opponents.
In a statement titled “My Message Has Been Twisted,” posted on social media platform X on Tuesday, Obi expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by Nigerians in the diaspora to support their families living in Nigeria. He emphasized that his focus is on the country’s reliance on remittances to cover basic needs.
“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home,” Obi stated. “Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect. I never asked them to abandon their loved ones.”
Obi clarified that his intention was to highlight the economic challenges that compel many Nigerians to depend on family members abroad for survival. “My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” he said. He called for efforts to build a nation that offers jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens.
He accused his political adversaries of distorting his comments, asserting that his message was aimed at addressing the root causes of hardship rather than discouraging financial support to families. “Political opponents may twist my message, but the truth remains clear: I am not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families. I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people,” he added.
The clarification comes after Obi faced criticism for remarks made during a town hall meeting with supporters in Manchester on Sunday. In a video that circulated widely, he reportedly urged attendees to stop sending money to relatives in Nigeria, arguing that such assistance might alleviate immediate hardship but fails to tackle its underlying causes. “You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he advised.
Obi attributed the nation’s economic struggles to ineffective leadership and encouraged Nigerians abroad to motivate their relatives and friends in Nigeria to vote for leaders committed to enhancing productivity and creating economic opportunities.
